Rio Ferdinand could yet figure in Manchester United’s Champions League
semi-final second-leg against Arsenal next Tuesday after x-rays ruled out a
cracked rib for the England defender.

Relief: Rio Ferdinand had feared he had broken his ribPhoto: GETTY IMAGES

By Mark Ogden

1:02PM BST 01 May 2009

Ferdinand, 30, was taken to hospital following United’s first-leg victory on Wednesday after being injured in a collision with goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

With the centre-half in severe pain and coughing blood, there were initial fears that he had suffered a broken rib injury that could keep him sidelined for the rest of the season.

But while Ferdinand will miss Saturday’s Premier League trip to Middlesbrough, where Jonny Evans will deputise, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits that the £30m defender could return in time to face Arsenal at the Emirates in four days’ time.

Ferguson said: “It's good news with Rio. It is not a cracked bone, he had a bit of bruising on the lung which was why he was coughing up blood but there has been nothing since then.

"Hopefully we can get him ready for Tuesday, he seems almost back to normal. But he won't play tomorrow. “